WASHINGTON — Federal law enforcement authorities have filed murder charges against Ahmed Abu Khattala, a prominent militia leader in Benghazi, Libya, in connection with the attacks on a diplomatic mission there last Sept. 11 that killed the US ambassador and three other Americans, according to senior law enforcement officials.
At least two other foreigners have been charged in the attacks, the officials said.
Although the charges have been filed under seal in the United States, law enforcement officials are frustrated with the Libyan government and the State Department because there have been no arrests.
The Libyan government has little control over the areas of the country where the suspects are believed to be, and arresting them will take significant negotiations and coordination between the US and Libyan governments.
Testifying before the House Judiciary Committee in May, Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. said the Justice Department had made significant progress in its investigation.
It is unclear, however, whether the government had filed charges at that point.
In an interview in October, Abu Khattala said that he had arrived at the US compound in Benghazi as gunfire broke out but that he had played no role in the attack.